Notes, summaries, assignments, exams, and problems for Other subjects

Innovation

What is Innovation?

Something original that breaks into a new market or society.

• Improving efficiency, effectiveness, and advantage
• Making an impact in the market

Why Innovate?

• Due to mass production in countries like China, companies are shifting their vision. To compete, they need to innovate their products.
• Environmental friendliness

Today's Musts

1. Collaboration: Working with others
2. Diversity
3. Agile Thinking
4. Creativity
5. Technology
6. Sustainability
7. Customer-centricity
8. Risk-taking

Innovation Manager Tools

1. Communication
2. Team Building
3. Task Management: Teams, Skype
4. File Management: Rules for uploading files
5. Conception: Taking everyone into account

Innovation Tools

1. Job to Be Done: Innovating according to the client's needs
2. Expectations: Creating expectations about

UN Special Procedures: Guardians of Human Rights

UN Special Procedures are independent human rights experts who are appointed by the Human Rights Council to advise on human rights from either a thematic or country-specific perspective. This system is a key element in the United Nations' efforts to protect human rights globally. As Kofi Annan famously stated, UN Special Procedures are "the crown jewel of the system."

Independence and Role of Special Rapporteurs

• These experts report to the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR).
• They maintain independence and impartiality, which helps them achieve their objective of better reporting on the reality of human rights in various programs.
• The experts are often referred

Classifications of Marketing Research

1. Problem Identification Research

It is research undertaken to help identify problems which are not necessarily apparent on the surface and yet exist or are likely to arise in the future.

Examples: Market potential, market share, image, market characteristics, and sales analysis. For instance, declining market potential indicates that the firm is likely to have a problem achieving its growth targets.

2. Problem-Solving Research

Once a problem or opportunity is identified, problem-solving research is undertaken to arrive at a solution. The findings are used in decision-making that will solve specific marketing problems.

Examples: Segmentation, product, pricing, promotion, and distribution research.

Exploratory

The Interdisciplinary Nature of Accounting

Accounting and Economics

Economics is the science that studies human behavior as a relationship between ends and scarce means which have alternative uses. When a person makes an economic decision, they primarily depend on accounting information. Micro-level data, arranged by the accounting system, is summed up to create a macro-level database. Accounting provides the basic data upon which economic models are developed. There exists a wide gulf between the economists' and accountants' concepts of income and capital. No doubt, accountants have derived the ideas of value, income, and capital maintenance from economists but have modified them to suit practical circumstances.

Accounting and Mathematics

A strong... Continue reading "Accounting's Relationship with Other Key Disciplines" »

Reasons for Business Internationalization

Internal Drivers for Global Expansion

• Cost Reduction: Achieve savings through relocation, optimizing raw materials, labor, financial resources, and taxes. (e.g., Cortefiel in Morocco)
• Access to Resources: Gain access to natural resources (e.g., Repsol in Mexico), leverage strategic geographical locations (e.g., Spain/Portugal for logistics), benefit from specialization, and utilize special infrastructure.
• Efficiency of Scale: Expand into other countries to achieve sales volumes that guarantee a minimum efficient size. (e.g., Boeing and Airbus)
• Risk Reduction: Diversify operations across various geographical markets to mitigate exposure to a single economic cycle.
• Optimal Use of Resources and Capabilities:

Business Planning Fundamentals

Planning is the process of deciding in advance what to do and how to do it. It's a core managerial function that involves setting objectives and developing a course of action to achieve them.

Importance of Planning

• Provides clear directions
• Reduces risks and uncertainty
• Minimizes overlapping and wasteful activities
• Promotes innovative ideas
• Facilitates decision-making
• Establishes standards for controlling

Key Features of Planning

• Focuses on achieving objectives
• Primary function of management
• Pervasive, continuous, and futuristic
• Involves decision-making
• A mental exercise

Criticism of Frederick Taylor's Principles of Scientific Management

Frederick Taylor is a controversial figure in management history. His innovations in industrial engineering led to rapid increases in productivity, but at the same time, he has been accused of destroying the soul of work and of dehumanizing factories.

Defining Span of Control in Management

Span of control refers to the number of subordinates a supervisor can manage efficiently and effectively.

Line Authority Versus Staff Authority: Key Differences

Line authority involves direct and legitimate authority over subordinates.

Staff authority is an assistant function, as it guides line managers or functions in performing specific activities.

Delegation, Centralization, and Decentralization

Core Concepts in Project Management and Evaluation

1. Key Project Cycle Management Stages

• Initiation
• Planning
• Execution
• Closure

2. Four Main Analyses in the Logical Framework Approach (LFA)

1. Analysis of Problems
2. Analysis of Stakeholders
3. Analysis of Objectives
4. Analysis of Strategies

3. Causes of Insufficient Access to Safe Water

• Lack of safe water infrastructure in rural areas.
• Contaminated water sources and lack of basic sanitation facilities.
• Excessive consumption in some households.

4. The 5 Whys Technique

a) Why use the 5 Whys? To identify and recognize root causes.

b) What is the key "Why" question? Why does this happen?

5. Difference Between Stakeholders and Target Groups

• Stakeholders: Refers to all individuals, groups, or organizations who are affected by

Packaging and Distribution Fundamentals

Product + Package = Distribution

Severity is the measure of the environment.

Product represents the level of resistance.

Product resistance + packaging measured ability to protect = Environmental Hazard.

Packaging Definitions

Underpackaging: Provides less protective capacity than required.

Overpackaging: The package protection level is higher than necessary.

Main Purpose of Packaging

To protect the product during transport.

Key Functions of Packaging

• Protection: Shielding against possible hazards.
• Containment: Preventing issues like liquids leaking or humidity affecting electronics.
• Apportionment: Making the product modular for easy breakdown or distribution.
• Unitization: Keeping items together (e.g., using a pallet)